Macreviver key how to#

(The process is a little involved: Apple describes it in the section “Reset using the Reset Password assistant (FileVault must be on)” in this support document.) You never see the recovery key nor have to enter it in this configuration. It’s fully encrypted in such a way that even Apple doesn’t have access to the unencrypted recovery key data, but Apple can deliver the encrypted recovery key to your Mac if you need to reset your password. Instead, it’s tied into behind-the-scenes account information that Apple maintains. If you choose iCloud, the recovery key isn’t stored loosely in iCloud Drive or as a file. You can opt to store your recovery key as part of your iCloud account for password resets. She’s concerned that she could wind up locked out and be unable to obtain the Recovery Key. She couldn’t find the key, and she remembered using the iCloud option to store it, but has examined iCloud Drive and couldn’t find it. Macworld reader Elaina fell into that camp.

Macreviver key how to#

But if enough time has passed, you might have forgotten where you stashed the key or how to retrieve it. In those cases, the recovery key set by macOS at the time you turned on FileVault on your Mac can do the trick. And, based on some emails I’ve received, account management can sometimes go wrong and macOS Recovery-used both for “cold start” logins to macOS after a full shut down and to diagnose problems on your startup volume-demands a login where the correct password fails to let you in. You might not use a Mac for a while and forget the password for any of its authorized FileVault accounts. If you have FileVault enabled with any Mac model, you can get locked out of your drive forever in certain cases if you haven’t taken a preventative step.